The Pulitzer Prize-winning epic of the Great Depression, a book that galvanized—and sometimes outraged—millions of readers.First published in 1939, Steinbeck’s Pulitzer Prize-winning epic of the Great Depression chronicles the Dust Bowl migration of the 1930s and tells the story of one Oklahoma farm family, the Joads—driven from their homestead and forced to travel west to the promised land of … promised land of California. Out of their trials and their repeated collisions against the hard realities of an America divided into Haves and Have-Nots evolves a drama that is intensely human yet majestic in its scale and moral vision, elemental yet plainspoken, tragic but ultimately stirring in its human dignity. A portrait of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless, of one man’s fierce reaction to injustice, and of one woman’s stoical strength, the novel captures the horrors of the Great Depression and probes into the very nature of equality and justice in America. At once a naturalistic epic, captivity narrative, road novel, and transcendental gospel, Steinbeck’s powerful landmark novel is perhaps the most American of American Classics.
This Centennial edition, specially designed to commemorate one hundred years of Steinbeck, features french flaps and deckle-edged pages.
For more than sixty-five years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,500 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
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Another one of my very favorite books.
It was recommended to me by a friend who had to read when they were in school. John Steinbeck is a wonderful writer, in this book it tells of the hardship share croppers encounter. It bought many things into perspective, easy reading, and very much a classic.
I can only say…WOW. Very powerful, majestic, and moving. One of the best books I have read. The ending continues to stay with me in such a heartfelt way.
Based on what I knew of the focus of this book, I never read it or even watched the movie, thinking it would be depressing. It was my book club’s choice for October, and I think this is the best book I have read. I am 63 and was an English major, so that is saying something! While the plot is filled with tragic circumstances, the finest and the basest qualities of the human spirit are so brilliantly displayed in the reactions of the characters that I ended up feeling uplifted and inspired. I will read this again, am delving into Steinbeck’s other works, and wholeheartedly recommend this book !
A reminder of the impact the depression had on America.
Well -written, moving. Places the reader into the the 1930’s dustbowl and it’s impact on the characters.
A favorite in every sense, love steinbeck!
One of my favorite books of all time!
Read this book years ago and loved it. It was impactful for me. We need to see how the other side lives…the people that need jobs, need homes. Amazing what those agricultural workers went through during that dust bowl period. A classic.
One of my favorites!
a favorite
One of the great novels of the 20th century.
Truly one of the best even though it may not contain the syrupy sweetness of other more popular favorites. A great picture of the American way.
One of the best books ever
This book is an American Classic Novel that everyone should read. You will understand the Americans who came to Califronia seeking a better life if you read this book.
A classic!!
What more can be said about this classic? This is my third time through, and I’ve included it in both my kindle and hard copy collections, Enduring fiction.
This is the best novel I have ever read. Several of Steinbeck’s other works are extraordinary, but for me, this one is his masterpiece. His Nobel Prize could have been awarded based upon the brilliance of The Grapes of Wrath alone. Of all the novels I have read, this one has continued to revisit my memory. It still speaks clearly.
One of my top ten books of all time. In order to make my “Top Ten” list a book has to make me FEEL it, and this book does just that.
A true American novel….with characters so true to life. Heartwarming informative and historical. A must read for every high schooler to know what really happened in this country in the Great Depression and why. Sad but still very uplifting in it’s spirit and hope.